CHAPTER 672

【 SOPHIA’S BELIEFS 】

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The new update announcement once again stirred waves of excitement and debate across the Elven Kingdom.

For the first time, players were no longer restricted at the low Silver rank and could now progress into intermediate Silver stage. This long-awaited change ignited a polarizing reaction throughout the playerbase.

Those who had already reached Silver rank, especially those at the previous maximum level cap, welcomed the update with enthusiasm. Yet, for the vast majority still stuck at Iron-rank, the change felt less like a boon and more like a reminder of how far behind they remained.

Although the number of Silver-rankers had grown, they still numbered fewer than twenty thousand, a stark contrast to the over five hundred thousand players lingering at Iron-rank.

“This is unfair!”

“The game is completely unbalanced!”

Such complaints resonated across forums, chats, and social spaces, where Iron-rank players vented their dissatisfaction.

Even so, despite the heated debates, the threats to quit, and the waves of discontent, most players eventually accepted the update, albeit reluctantly.

In the end, there was little they could do.

Elven Kingdom remained a game like no other. Its unparalleled NPC intelligence, near-tripled cognitive acceleration, and diverse, immersive content outweighed the flaws of a broken class system. Even in the face of such imbalance, the unique appeal of the game held sway over its community, and most players continued to invest their time and energy within this world.

In the end, it was simply a matter of weighing gains against losses.

Moreover, the announcement went on to clarify that the drop rate for Silver advancement slots would be increased in certain dungeons, including the Demon Lord Labyrinth, as well as in various hidden and mainline quests. Likewise, the probability of obtaining Silver class transfer tokens would also see a significant boost.

In addition, players who completed designated weekly tasks would gain a chance to acquire a class transfer slot, provided they had not yet reached Silver-rank. Naturally, the more tasks a player completed, the greater their odds of securing this opportunity.

In other words, as long as you (work hard) grind enough in the game, every player still had a path to Silver-rank.

Of course, those who preferred to be completely lazy and avoided any meaningful effort were another matter entirely. There were quite a few players like that, content to drift through the game at their own pace. But even for them, Elven Kingdom offered plenty beyond combat. Poetry, research, leisurely exploration, and countless other activities provided ways to enjoy the game without the need for endless grinding.

In short, after the initial commotion settled, players came to terms with reality and immediately threw themselves into the relentless pursuit of leveling up.

The Demon Kings within the Labyrinth Dungeon were soon horrified to discover that the number of challengers charging at them had suddenly multiplied. There had always been plenty of challengers, of course, but previously the majority were just low-level Iron-rank players.

But now, wave after wave of Silver-rankers surged forward, each more frenzied and determined than the last.

Naturally, the thirteen overworked Demon Kings had no idea that the drop of advancement slots was only triggered for players who had reached the maximum level of low Silver-rank. Unaware of this, every Silver-ranker who had not yet reached the cap began grinding with unprecedented intensity, pushing themselves to the limit in hopes of securing a coveted class advancement slot.

Overall, players were busier than ever as a palpable sense of urgency spread throughout the Elven Forest. As a result, fewer adventurers lingered in taverns to chat, and attendance at the nighttime bonfire gatherings in the city square dropped sharply.

Even the daily routines of the local elves were affected, which was only natural considering how many of them served as task-issuing NPCs.

In addition, Evé was especially pleased that after the golden dragon Mars had been tempted by the task system and became a shallow believer, the other two silver dragons quickly followed his lead. This change occurred after Mars, now possessing the task system, flew to Shangjing City, where the two dragons were currently residing, and demonstrated his new abilities.

The sight of his new abilities proved irresistible, and shortly afterward, the two silver dragons approached Alice, eager to acquire the task system for themselves.

It was worth noting that these two dragons, who adored civilization and the arts, were completely captivated the moment they arrived in Shangjing City. The wooden architecture, inspired by Eastern culture on Earth, fascinated them, and they even began learning to play the Erhu ¹ alongside some players.

So much so that when Evé, disguised under her identity Féng, went to observe them, she found the dragons in their humanoid forms, sitting on small stools and swaying gently as they played the famous chinese music piece ‘Moon Reflected on Second Spring’ with several players.

The surreal scene left her utterly stunned

Cross-cultural influence was no trivial matter.

Even Azazel now mostly uses Earth online gaming terms and slang when insulting players, although he could only mutter them privately, as his dialogue during combat still consisted of the same three automatic phrases she had originally given him.

With the release of the new announcement, the entire Elven Faction entered another period of rapid development. Every available task was quickly completed by players.

Meanwhile, while the players busied themselves with final preparations for the update, a certain noble girl, who had long been studying at the Church of Life in Grey Haven, finally closed the last of her books.

“Miss Sophia, your learning ability is the strongest I have witnessed among any NP—I mean, among any woman I have ever met. Truly, I have nothing more to teach you,” spoke Dōngdōng, whilst dressed in a pristine white priest’s robe, her gentle smile radiating both warmth and pride.

At these words, Sophia slowly lifted her head. A shimmering aura of faith seemed to radiate from her refined features.

It was the luminous glow of a devoted believer!

The once-lost half-elven girl had, under Dōngdōng’s strict guidance, grown into a devout believer of the Goddess of Life.

“Thank you for your instruction, Teacher Dōngdōng,” Sophia said, offering a graceful elven salute. Her expression was calm, sincere, and filled with gratitude.

“However,” Dōngdōng continued, straightening her posture and speaking with solemnity, “as I have always said, knowledge gained from books alone is too shallow. To truly comprehend the teachings of the Goddess of Life, and to guide the people out of darkness, you must apply these lessons in the real world and explore it with your own eyes and feet.”

Sophia nodded deeply.

“I understand. As stated in the Sacred Codex of Life, practice is the only standard by which truth is tested.”

“Very well,” Dōngdōng said with a pleased smile.“Congratulations on your investiture. I have prepared a gift for you. I hope it will serve you well.”

From within her robe, Dōngdōng produced a finely bound copy of the Sacred Codex of Life. Resting atop the tome was a delicate mithril-crafted magical necklace.

The silver necklace shimmered brightly in the warm sunlight. At its center hung an emblem shaped like a scepter, the very symbol of the Goddess of Life.

It was a necklace blessed by the Goddess herself, something Dōngdōng had obtained from Saintess Alice.

Sophia accepted the codex gratefully and placed it into her storage ring. She then solemnly fastened the necklace around her neck.

The sun emblem that symbolized the Eternal Lord she previously wore was no longer present.

“Excellent. I knew I had good taste. It really suits you.”

Seeing how sacred and beautiful Sophia looked with the necklace, Dōngdōng, who’s obsessed with aesthetically good-looking characters, had her eyes sparkle.

Sophia’s ears flushed red and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Teacher.”

“All right, all right. Do not call me Teacher anymore, it gives me too much pressure. It always reminds me of my university advisor… cough, never mind that. In any case, I hope you achieve your dream. If you ever become a purple-class NPC, just give me some easy tasks that award lots of contribution points.”

Dōngdōng waved her hand casually.

Sophia: “…”

༺⟐༻

After bidding farewell to Priestess Dōngdōng, Sophia left the Church of Life in Greyhaven.

Warm sunlight bathed her as the gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks, carrying the first hints of spring. The air seemed alive, turning the treetops a vibrant green and filling the land with renewed vitality.

Looking around, the streets seemed to have changed since her first arrival in Greyhaven. It had only been months since she began her studies, yet the buildings in the vicinity had multiplied, and areas that had once been empty plots of land were now filled with elegant, well-crafted houses.

Everywhere she looked, there were elves working with remarkable enthusiasm. Everyone was busy, and no one shirked their duties. The efficiency, coordination, and discipline they displayed left Sophia in awe, making her marvel at the vigor and energy of the elvenkind.

“As long as one works hard, one can continue to improve and achieve a fulfilling life for themselves…” she whispered to herself. “Could this truly be the new world the Goddess of Life described?”

As she watched the passing elves—laughing, chatting, and singing quietly even as they labored—Sophia felt a deep sense of awe. The sight moved her profoundly, leaving her heart warmed by the simple, vibrant life around her.

“I must bring hope to those suffering in darkness. I must help the poor people in my territory live a happy, fulfilling life like this.”

She clenched her fists, her eyes hardening with resolve.

She continued forward, weaving through the intersecting streets and navigating the bustling crowds, before finally arriving at the harbor of the city.

Pausing at the edge of the familiar yet subtly changed port, Sophia allowed herself a moment of contemplation.

Despite the war spreading relentlessly across the western regions of the Empire, this port had surprisingly not succumbed to desolation. On the contrary, it had even grown unusually lively, brimming with activity.

The bustling docks were filled with ships of all sizes, while humans in a variety of attire—nobles, commoners, merchants, and adventurers alike—mingled along the shoreline.

Taking a closer look, Sophia noticed a clear boundary: none of the humans seemed to dare to venture beyond the docks, carefully remaining within the areas guarded by vigilant elves.

The city’s inner districts remained strictly off-limits, and it seemed that only believers of the Goddess were allowed entry. Even within this select group, only the most devout were permitted to venture deeper into the Elven Forest, and even then, only the outer regions were accessible to non-elven races.

Such were the rules of Greyhaven and the Elvenkind…

As Sophia observed the activity at the docks with curiosity, a gentle voice suddenly sounded from behind her.

“They are refugees fleeing from Maple Leaf Territory. They seek passage through this city to travel north to the Holy Maniya Empire.”

Recognizing the familiar tone, Sophia quickly turned and saw a figure she knew well.

“Lady Féng, is that you?”

Her voice carried a note of delight and surprise.

Féng smiled softly and inclined her head in acknowledgment.

“It has been a long time, Miss Sophia.”

Her gaze then fell on the necklace resting against Sophia’s chest, and she spoke with a meaningful tone.

“It seems you have found your path.”

“Yes. After studying under Teacher Dōngdōng, I have finally understood the root of the empire’s problems.”

Sophia nodded lightly, tightening her grip on the necklace.

“The rigid and lifeless feudal system used by humans can no longer keep pace with societal development. Despite the presence of extraordinary abilities and magic capable of amazing things, the vast majority of the empire’s populace remain mired in misery,” she said firmly.

“This shows that our method of governance is inherently flawed. As it stands, under the oppression of the nobility and the church, the common folk cannot enjoy any of the benefits brought by the development of extraordinary power. Therefore, human society has lost its drive to progress and has become a stagnant pool, succumbing to despair. To resolve this, a drastic change in our society is necessary.”

“Only by believing in the Goddess of Life, upholding justice and equality, and liberating the people, ensuring that every citizen enjoys the extraordinary privileges that the elves do, can society truly progress. Only then can light descend once more upon a world blinded by darkness.”

“All beings are equal once everyone believes in the Goddess. Glory to the Goddess of Life!”

Evé: “…”

Uhh…

It seemed this noble girl had been thoroughly indoctrinated.

But what exactly had Dōngdōng been teaching her?

How had this lass become such an extreme amalgamation of ideas, amplified into an even more intense form of radicalism?

Listening to Sophia’s passionate speech, the very Goddess whom the girl had vowed everyone must worship, could not help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

The half elven girl, still high with emotion, then grasped Eve’s hands tightly.

“Lady Féng, thank you. I truly must thank you for guiding me onto the right path. Without your advice, I might still be lost at this very moment,” Sophia said, her voice full of gratitude.

Evé: “…”

Err… whatever makes you happy, I guess.

At that moment, just as Sophia finished expressing her thanks, a commotion erupted at the outermost portion of the harbor.

Evé looked up, and from the upper reaches of the Vymur River, a fleet of tall sailing ships marked with complex spell formations approached.

They were far larger and more imposing than the merchant ships nearby. Each vessel bore white sails decorated with a two-headed dragon emblem: a body of fiery gold, bat-like wings spread outward, and a radiant sun at its center. Beneath the wings hung many smaller, ornate banners.

Upon closer inspection, one could see the red maple and lion flag of Maple Leaf Territory, the twin-lion banner of the Duchy of Lawson, and numerous flags from other imperial territories.

“That is the imperial crest. Those ships must be part of an imperial fleet.”

Sophia frowned slightly.

An imperial fleet?

Evé raised an eyebrow, sensing immediately the presence emanating from the approaching ships. She could detect the powerful aura of several legendary-rank experts aboard, alongside a number of individuals whose radiant aura of faith shone like torches piercing the darkness.

Her eyes narrowed as she assessed the situation.

The fleet did not continue upriver as initially expected. Instead, it veered into the bay and docked directly at Greyhaven. The white sails of its flagship were slowly lowered, while gangplanks extended to the pier, and a column of fully armored knights disembarked in precise formation, taking positions on both sides under the watchful and wary gazes of the players gathered nearby.

Then, a gaunt nobleman stepped down. His goatee facial hair was meticulously groomed, and his luxurious clothing marked him as a man of high status.

“Identify yourselves!”

Two players on patrol stepped forward, weapons ready and voices cautious as they responded to the unexpected arrival.

The nobleman glanced at them briefly, then lifted his chin with a hint of restrained pride.

“I am Count Bayer, envoy of the Holy Maniya Empire to the Elves and leader of this imperial mission.”

Producing a parchment sealed with the imperial emblem, he gestured toward the observing elves and continued in a theatrical cadence:

“I bear the decree of the Empress. An evil god has awakened, bringing suffering to countless lives. Henceforth, the Empire seeks to join hands with the Elves to uphold justice and eliminate the evil forces that threaten our world.”

¹ The Erhu is a Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, that is sometimes known in the Western world as the Chinese violin or a Chinese two-stringed fiddle.

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